Reflections in our 90th Year

Dean Lee - Chief Executive Officer

I first visited the Shrine in the mid-1990s and remember being roundly reprimanded by a uniformed person for the ‘crime’ of sitting on the steps. My father was a Royal Australian Air Force officer and, while I understood our military history and why the Shrine was built, at the time I had little appreciation of what it represented in the hearts and minds of Victorians.

I returned to the Shrine on 14 May 2015. I had just interviewed for the role of Chief Executive Officer. I’d spent the prior 18 months deeply immersed in the commemorative community preparing for Centenary of Anzac events and leading development of the National Anzac Centre in Western Australia. I now understood well what war memorials embodied.

I approached the Shrine from the city, awed by its resolute presence.

Autumn rains washed the monument and Reserve; the chill air was warmed by the vibrant reds and golds of the turning leaves. I lingered many hours and reflected deeply— very deeply. I had successfully led larger and more complex organisations, but the responsibility of stewarding this place would be incomparable.

I joined the Shrine as CEO in July 2015. The task assigned to me by the Trustees was to leverage the $45m State and Federal investment in the Galleries of Remembrance— to attract new audiences and consolidate the Shrine’s operational, governance and financial capacity to advance and secure its future.

Through the combined efforts of so many dedicated people we have made great progress, sensitively threading a path that safeguards the Shrine’s traditional values while contemporising them in ways that are relatable and engaging in a fast changing world.

I have served as the Shrine’s CEO for nine years in its 90-year history. There is not a day I approach this place without remembering that day in May 2015. I feel the privilege and the responsibility we shoulder as custodians of our nation’s wartime grief, bound within these walls.

I draw satisfaction knowing that, today, we welcome people from all walks of life and guide their engagement with this remarkable place less through the application of rules and more through education and learning. Yet some restrictions endure: Rocky impersonations running up and down the monument steps are a no go!

Captain Stephen Bowater OAM RAN - Chair of the Shrine of Remembrance Trustees

Ninety years ago, amid echoes of history and whispers of sacrifice, Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance emerged as a beacon of reverence and resilience. Today, as we mark this significant milestone, we honour the unwavering spirit of those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. Their courage and selflessness are etched into the very stones of this hallowed monument, a testament to the eternal gratitude of a nation forever indebted.

As custodians of this sacred space, the Shrine Trustees, Governors, staff and volunteers are united in our commitment to preserve stories, honour the fallen and educate future generations. May the Shrine continue to stand as a symbol of peace, unity and everlasting gratitude, embodying the values of service and sacrifice that define our national identity.

All Victorians bear the solemn responsibility of preserving the Shrine’s legacy, ensuring that the memories of the fallen are etched into the collective consciousness of our nation. The Shrine is not merely a structure of stone and marble; it is a living testament to the sacrifices made in the name of freedom, democracy and peace.

In commemorating the Shrine’s 90th anniversary, we acknowledge that the world has undergone profound transformations over the decades. Yet, amid the ever-changing backdrop of history, one constant remains—the Shrine’s steadfast commitment to honour, remember and pay tribute to the sacrifices of our servicemen and women.

It remains a timeless symbol of gratitude and unity and serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring values that transcend generations—

values of courage, sacrifice and selflessness that resonate as powerfully today as they did nine decades ago.

Today, the Shrine’s role as a custodian of memory and a beacon of reverence remains as vital as ever. As we look to the future with hope and determination, let us take comfort in the constancy of the Shrine’s mission—to ensure that the sacrifices of the past are never forgotten and that the stories of heroism and valour endure.

On this momentous occasion, we reflect on the past with solemnity, look to the future with hope, and reaffirm our pledge to ensure that the flame of remembrance burns brightly for all eternity.

Lest we forget.